Surge in burn cases
A lesser known issue that often occurs during the winter season is that burn injuries become rather common. This primarily happens due to gas leak-induced explosions as a larger number of people start using gas geysers and cylinders. Acknowledging this, the Burns and Plastic Surgery Centre in Hayatabad has begun an awareness campaign in a bid to reduce high incidence of burn injuries during the winter season. According to the director of the institution, incidence of burn injuries rise during winters by around 50% due to the “excessive and careless” use of gas appliances at homes, thus the need to educate the masses regarding safety and precaution.
Doctors have claimed that many burn patients have arrived in critical conditions with 50% body burns and the best solution is prevention through safety SOPs, which all households should follow – such as disconnecting geysers and stoves before going to bed or keeping gas equipment in a secure location. However, it cannot be ignored that gas shortage has also been a significant factor. People are not just forced to install gas pumps, which can damage the lines or cause leakages during installation, but many are forced to resort to buying gas cylinders that are being sold without proper safety inspections. Further, these gas equipment are sold at exorbitant rates as the winter season approaches and not everyone can afford to buy it. Old cheap cylinders, geysers and stoves are the best alternative for middle-class families. But as we have seen, they come at a steep cost.
While such awareness campaigns can help provide important safety information to families, the onus also lies with the government to ensure that regulatory mechanisms are in place for the selling and purchasing of gas equipment. Not only do these equipment need to be subjected to safety inspections but officials must also look to control prices so that common families are able to afford it.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 13th, 2022.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.